When I heard that WNYU’s athletic department would be airing a new podcast titled “The Girl’s Locker Room,” I was very excited. As a female athlete myself, I am a fan and advocate for representation in women’s sports. I was excited to hear that there was a voice on NYU’s campus to discuss the experience of being a woman in sports. I immediately wanted to write a review about this show.
What I didn’t know at the time was that this review would be one of disappointment, further conversation about the misrepresentation of women, and greater confusion as to why WNYU’s athletic department deemed the podcast’s message acceptable. It was said that it would be one of the.
“‘The Girl’s Locker Room’ is a podcast that demystifies sports to a level that almost anyone can understand. It’s aimed at a female audience,” says CAS sophomore Rachel. said Scutieri, host and creator of “The Girl’s Locker Room.”
In addition to framing the podcast as a way to “downplay” women’s sports, the show’s title, “Girls’ Locker Room,” is incredibly misleading for two reasons. First, because of the gender-specific title, you might think that this podcast is in some way focused on women’s sports stories, but that’s actually not the case. Second, it doesn’t seem to contribute to outdated sports stereotypes that frame women as ignorant, passive spectators. But unfortunately, it’s exactly the latter.
“Women’s locker room” It was created as a way to easily convey this message to women. Scutieri Strictly speaking, it’s about sports. In each episode, Scutieri brings in supposed experts to briefly explain the basics of the sports covered in a given episode. For example, in the podcast’s third episode, “The Women’s Guide to Hockey,” Scutieri invites her boyfriend onto the show and explains the basics of hockey, from the rules of landing to the six specific positions of the game. Masu.
“This helps our listeners (I call them girlies) understand that they don’t get it just by watching (sports) on TV,” Scutieri said. said.
What I wanted to know was not only to disseminate information about the basics of sports; Mr. Scutieri’s deeper reasoning led him to create a podcast. After admitting it, she said,I don’t like sports at all.” Scutieri said She said her boyfriend gave her the idea to call the podcast “Girls’ Locker Room.” The cliché of contributing to your boyfriend’s sports interests remains behind the core of the podcast.
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to sports or an avid sports fan, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been dating ever since. Women and girls are always interested in sports. Especially now, women’s sports are not just having a long-awaited moment in the media, but a movement that is actively changing the perception of female athletes.
This movement includes female athletes, journalists, broadcasters, corporate investors, fans and everyone with an interest in the industry and its development. From crushing NCAA, WNBA and NWSL From viewing records to launching women’s sports media RE-INC, Women’s Sports Foundation and women’s matchthe sports landscape is moving forward.
“Women’s locker room” I had no intention of contributing to this space. Podcasts are in a category of their own and are a great concept in theory. Sports should be fun for everyone, regardless of the participants’ prior experience or level of knowledge. Especially for women who have the following symptoms: Historically, participation in athletics has been discouraged.you shouldn’t be left out of the conversations you want to be a part of.
But this WNYU podcast is completely lacking in terms of accessibility. Despite good intentions, the structure of the podcast and the language chosen perpetuate outdated and stereotyped views of what it means to be a fan or athlete who identifies as female.
Worst of all, this podcast presents sports as simply a way for women to get closer to their boyfriends. In fact, sport is a lifestyle, a passion of excellence, a career path and a means of social, economic and political freedom for women around the world.
“Women want to go home and watch soccer, basketball, or baseball with their boyfriends.” Squitieri said. “They want to understand what they’re talking about. They want to go to a Super Bowl party and understand what the heck is going on on the TV in front of them.”
To better understand the vision for this program, I spoke with Maddie Mendelsohn, SPS junior and WNYU athletic director. In addition to missing the 20 programs aired on WNYU Sports, Mendelsohn hosts seven of his own baseball-focused shows. She recently appeared on “.Baseball guide for girls” episode as well.
“I think it’s a great idea for a show. It’s great to make sports more accessible, but I think that’s what will create success, if that’s what she wants to go for,” Mendelsohn said. . “Obviously, it’s expanded to the point where you guys (WSN) are hearing about it and being able to leverage it by talking about it, which is great.”
In a world where there is never a shortage of sports podcasts, it’s important that even NYU, a school not necessarily defined by sports tradition, chooses how to discuss women on these platforms. As history always reminds us, our conversation is about the reality for women who have, and always will, occupy positions in the field of sports, despite their boyfriends. It has a very important meaning because it is what we create.
Contact Levi Langley (email protected).
